Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

Hyperion offers both CDs, and downloads in a number of formats. The site is also available in several languages.

Please use the dropdown buttons to set your preferred options, or use the checkbox to accept the defaults.

Recordings

'Innocently sexy in the most charming way. Emma Kirkby can never have sounded more celestial. The sound quality is immaculate. This is a lovely record ...'An unqualified delight' (BBC Music Magazine)» More

Details

I came, Sir, from the world below.
I once was mortal flesh and blood,
And scarce my beauty’s bloom display’d,
I dropt—a tender virgin, but I play’d
The fool, and died a maid.
For which the Gods have sent me here,
To shine, a star in Cinthia’s sphere.

So fair a face in a world so base, yet died a maid?

A very, very maid.

Have a care what you say.

A pure, pure maid.

Are you sure you don’t lie?

A pure maid. I’ll tell you why,
The truth that will plainly be seen,
For I died so very young—not full thirteen.
Do you think I would deceive you?

No, I do believe you.
That wonder in an age may once be seen,
There may be a maid not full thirteen.
But were you to live your life over again,
Oh, what would you do then?
I’m very much afraid you would still die a maid,
And keep your virgin innocence unshaken.

I fear you are mistaken.

How? Not die a maid?

No, no, not I.

Not die a maid?

Not die a maid, and I’ll tell you why.
These eyes I’m sure were for love designed,
And these charms they were lent me to bless mankind.
Then shall I die a maid?